Ogives

An icefall at the foot of the tall east face of Finsteraarhorn leads to the formation of prominent ogives. On aerial photographs they are one of the most remarkable features of this glacier.

Aerial photo, looking downglacier; Strahlegggletscher is merging from the left. Aarbiwak is on the left margin.

On this ground photo, taken in the same direction, the ogives are much harder to see.

This view shows how ogives bend more and more as they travel dowwnglacier due to differential ice movement.

Another, smaller icefall on the lower left also generates ogives, however much less developed ones.

Photos Jürg Alean: aerial photos August 2004; ground photos September 2005